Recount, Puntsville defeat heavy favorites in Illinois-bred stakes
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Recount won the Addison Cammack and Puntsville took the Isaac Murphy in Illinois-bred stakes action Saturday at Arlington.
Recount seized the lead at the start, outsprinting favored Lewys Vaporizer into the turn, then turning back a run from Sweet Luca to win the $53,000 Cammack by two lengths. Shanghai Red ran late to nail Sweet Luca for second, a surprising result since Sweet Luca made a big move on the turn and appeared to be on the way to victory at the top of the stretch. But as soon as he reached Recount’s flank, the pacesetter re-broke under Carlos Montalvo, getting back on even terms just inside the furlong pole before pulling away late. Recount paid $6 to win and was timed in 1:11.01 for six furlongs on Polytrack.
Lewys Vaporizer, the 6-5 favorite, basically was eased back to last in his first start since January.
Trained by Jim DiVito for Doubledown Stables, Recount in his most recent start had finished fourth in the Grade 3 Hanshin Cup over a mile, and that remains his only Arlington main-track loss in six starts. Overall, Recount, a gelded 4-year-old son of Limehouse, has won 7 of 19 starts.
Rivelli also sent out the heavy favorite Richies Sweetheart in the $54,500 Isaac Murphy, and she, too, faltered. On the early lead, Richies Sweetheart soon was overtaken by Puntsville, who went a fast half-mile in 45.61 seconds, held a three-length lead at the stretch call, but held on to win by three-quarters of a length over 13-1 shot Dandy Gal.
Puntsville was making her first start since November, and the fast pace surely left her tired, and she showed with her game win that the strong form she reached during the second part of 2016 has carried over to her 4-year-old season. She ran a faster six furlongs, 1:10.87, than Recount, and paid $7.80 to win. Church Road finished third with Richies Sweetheart fading back to last of nine.
Victor Santiago rode Puntsville for Michele Boyce, who trains her for owner-breeder S D Brilie. Puntsville is by Cashel Castle and out of the Petionville mare Deville.